Wednesday, March 14, 2007

thursday thirteen xii

There is a world beyond the United States of America, but it is not often mentioned on the news. Here are some serious, and not so serious recent news items I noticed today:

1. There is no freedom without sacrificeMorgan Tsvangirai, leader of the opposition in Zimbabwe, speaks out against President Mugabe.2. Ending the crisis in DarfurWe know there are problems in the Sudan, but how many of us could explain what they are? Here is a perspective from the UK mission to the United Nations.3. The Lebensborn ChildrenNorwegians born during WW2 as the result of a Nazi experiment to create Aryans sue the government for years of abuse.4. Police rescue 91-year-old man glued to roofI hope I am fit enough to get up on the roof when I am 91 (toi toi toi).5. Vicar murdered in WalesNews like this makes me despair. For those who anticipate 'apokalupsis eschaton', i.e., the revelation at the end of the world that is preceded by some climactic battle between the forces of evil and good, the random nature of violence in the world today might indicate its imminent arrival.6. Don't shoot the viola playerI did not realise that violists felt so oppressed :-(7. Has science found the moody hormone?Adolescent mice may show the potential cause of pubescent mood swings.8. A new species of leopard has been discoveredFor those of us interested in nature conservation in Borneo.9. Malignant HypothermiaJust heard a guy on the radio who suffers from this talking about it. He called it pyrothermia, i.e., the opposite of hypothermia. It is a genetic disorder triggered by certain general anaesthetics.10. The Blooker PrizeThis is a prize for books originating as blogs. The 2007 shortlist is here.11. The problem of deforestationSave the trees! I was telemarketed by the local newspaper today. They didn't seem to understand that I felt their parochial rag was not worth the lives of trees. They did understand 'no thank you.'12. Ayaan Hirsi AliAn interview with the Dutch politician who speaks out against political Islam in Der Spiegel. It's in English!13. Sucked to SafetyA hamster is saved by a hoover.